2009 Usta Hawaii Pacific Rules

INFORMATION FOR ALL 2009 JUNIOR PLAYERS Player information is correct at the time of publication. Unforeseen changes may occur subsequent to publication. Any changes to player information will be published in the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section newsletters and on the section’s website: http://www.hawaii.usta.com) Junior Team Tennis and other USTA/HPS tennis programs are available for junior players at all levels. Refer to the USTA/HPS website for more information. Go to www.hawaii.usta.com and click on “Junior” to access more information. I. ENTERING A TOURNAMENT 1. USTA membership is required for all sanctioned tournaments. For verification purposes, it is recommended that players come to each tournament with their USTA card, or apply for membership or for a replacement card at the tournament. 2. When entering tournaments, players should always use the names under which their USTA memberships are registered so that their playing records will be consistently picked up on the computer. 3. Mail tournament entries early. Tournament Directors should receive entries no later than the closing date stated in the Tournament Schedule. Postmark is not a consideration. A standard entry form is in the Tournament Schedule and can also be found at www.usta.com, then click on Hawaii Pacific Section or go to direct URL at: http://www.hawaii.usta.com. 4. Different tournaments may have dates that overlap. A player may not enter more than one tournament scheduled for any part of the same period unless each Tournament Director involved understands the situation and concurs with the scheduling arrangements that are made. 5. It is the player’s responsibility to check the website to determine the date and time of their first match. 6. If a player has to withdraw, he/she must notify the Tournament Director as soon as possible. An entry fee is refundable only if the Tournament Director is notified of the withdrawal before the draw is made. 7. Any discrepancies in the draw, (i.e. player name listed twice, player name misspelled, player in wrong age/class division) must be brought to the attention of the Tournament Referee prior to play. 8. Players entering a tournament on another island should provide the Tournament Director with the name and phone number of their hotel or other lodging accommodations, and/or their pager or cell phone number. 9. Be familiar with the “Point Penalty System” (item VII). If a player is late and defaulted (see definition of default) because of lateness, it could affect the player’s ranking. 10. Be prepared for any weather change. Keep a change of clothes, jacket, towel, food, books, cards, games, water jug, and practice balls. Rain delays cause problems for everyone; be patient and understanding. 11. Remember that it does not rain all over the islands at the same time. In case of rain, players should check with the tournament desk to find out the Tournament Referee’s decision regarding scheduling of play. 12. A player should not leave the grounds before obtaining his/her next playing time or clearance to leave from the tournament desk. For establishing the time of his/her next match in the tournament, it is the player’s responsibility to make contact with the tournament desk rather than vice versa. It would be advisable to double check the time written on the posted draw sheet. 13. Remember that the desk workers are volunteers. Only the Tournament Director and Referee can make any major decisions. Players with complaints should send a written description of the situation to the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section office within 30 days of the occurrence. (see section VI on Grievance) 14. All players should keep records of sanctioned tournaments in which they play. Only player records for open tournaments are kept by the section and are available at http://www.hawaii.usta.com (locate the latest ranking list, then the player’s name). This web site address and organization maybe change without notice. Search the www.usta.com site for the USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section site for updated addresses. 15. The USTA Hawaii Pacific Section is grateful for the hospitality extended by the member clubs and organizations hosting sanctioned tournaments. As a player, please show your consideration and appreciation. 16. Tournament Directors reserve the right to delete or combine events depending on draw size.

II. TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS 1. The Officials of any tournament are there to help the players and make the tournament run smoothly and fairly for all of the players. 2. The Tournament Referee is required to pass a USTA exam for certification. Among the referee’s duties are making the draw, scheduling matches, and determining how the rules and regulations apply to any problems that occur in the course of the tournament. 3. Players may leave the court during a match to request an official. Only a player may make this request. Parents and coaches may not make requests for assistance. 4. Free clinics for officials are held statewide throughout the year. Anyone interested in becoming an official is encouraged to call the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section office at 955-6696. Officials are always needed to help with the many USTA Hawaii Pacific Section sanctioned tournaments. 5. In so far as possible, the Section may have an observer on site for each tournament.

III. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for ranking, or to participate in any USTA/Hawaii Sectional Championships, a player must be a resident of the geographic area comprising the USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section. Residency may include a player who is temporarily residing outside the section (e.g., players who may be attending school or serving in the military). The permanent residence of juniors shall be the residence of their parent(s) with legal custody, or their legal guardians, provided they (parent or guardian) reside within the USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section nine (9) months out of the calendar year and file State of Hawaii income tax or are registered to vote in the state of Hawaii. A Player can also be considered a resident if he or she has been enrolled full time in a school in the USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section since the beginning of the school year. The burden shall be upon the player to establish his or her residence. Hawaii Pacific Section Junior Sectional tournament are restricted to Hawaii Pacific Section residents ONLY. Entrants must meet Hawaii Pacific Section residency requirements as defined (if proof of residency is requested by the tournament director, the burden of proof is on the entrant): AND players who have played in a sectional tournament for a section other than the Hawaii Pacific Section with a tournament end date within 180 days of the first day of a Hawaii Pacific Section Junior Sectionals may not and cannot enter the event.

IV. RANKING RULES A. ROLLING RANKING FOR 2009: A rolling ranking system (a Points Per Round system) considers a player’s record of play for the past twelve months. It is called “rolling” because, as the months move throughout the year, the ranking rolls forward – February 2008 to January 2009, March 2008 to February 2009, and so on. In 2003, the USTA changed to a point system for National Junior Rankings. This system will continue through 2009. Information describing the new USTA National Junior Ranking system is available on the USTA website.

V. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT All players, officials and organizers of any tennis tournament are expected to encourage and maintain high standards of conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship. USTA’S “The Code” outlines the unwritten rules of on-court behavior and is followed in all non-officiated matches in sanctioned tournaments. Following are ten highlights of “The Code”: 1. The oldest tradition in tennis is to give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. A ball that cannot be called out is good. A player may not claim a let on the basis that he did not see a ball. 2. Player calls his own shots out. With the exception of the first serve, a player should call against himself any ball he clearly sees out regardless of whether he is requested to do so by his opponent. 3. All points played in good faith stand. 4. Any call of “out” or “let” must be made instantaneously; otherwise the ball continues in play.

5. Never enlist the aid of a spectator in making a call. 6. Foot faulting is cheating. 7. Returning a service that is obviously out is a form of rudeness. 8. To eliminate arguments about the score, the server should announce the set score prior to his or her first serve of the game and the point (game) score prior to serving each point. (This element of The Code cannot be overemphasized.) 9. In a tournament, if the opposing player makes a large number of which a player believes are bad calls, the player should quietly and calmly call for an umpire/referee, and refuse to continue until the umpire or referee arrives. Never make a bad call in retaliation. 10. Don’t stall, sulk, complain or practice unethical gamesmanship. Act in a way that makes it possible for participants to concentrate and have fun. VI. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE The Grievance Committee shall be responsible for enforcing the Constitution, By-Laws, all the rules and regulations of the USTA and the standards of conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship. 1. Whenever a written grievance is filed with the Chairperson of the Grievance committee charging that any player, person who appears to be associated with a player (including but not limited to parents and coaches), official or organizer of any tournament in a USTA sanctioned event has violated the Constitution, By-Laws, rules and regulations of the USTA, or the standards of conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship, the Chairperson shall have the power to find such a person in such amount, not in excess of $1,000.00 and/or suspend such person for such period, as he/she, in his/her absolute discretion, deems appropriate. Any such written grievance shall be mailed to the USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section, 1500 S. Beretania Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96826. Any written grievance shall be filed or received within 30 days following the date on which the alleged violation occurred, except that if the alleged violation is based on a falsification of age, or a falsification of any other information, such written grievance shall be filed within 30 days after the Tournament Chairperson has been advised of such falsification. Before taking any such action, the Chairperson of the Grievance Committee shall not be required to hold any hearing, and such action may be taken by him/her on the basis of such investigation as he/she, in his/her absolute discretion, deems appropriate. In the absence of the Chairperson, (or pursuant to the Chairperson’s request), the Vice Chairperson of the Grievance Committee shall have the same power to fine and suspend as granted to the Chairperson in this section I. The Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson, as the case may be, shall promptly notify in writing the person so charged of this decision. 2. Within 30 days after receipt of notice of a decision by the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of the Grievance Committee, the person penalized may appeal the decision by addressing a written request to the Chairperson for a hearing before the Grievance Committee. Upon receipt of such request, the Chairperson of the Grievance Committee shall promptly fix a time and place for a hearing and shall give the person penalized not less than eight days prior written notice. At any such hearing, the person penalized shall have the right to appear personally, with not more than one representative or attorney, to present testimony and other evidence and cross examine witnesses. The Grievance Committee shall have the power to affirm, modify, or reject the prior decision and to impose any additional penalties as it may deem appropriate, including a fine in excess of $1,000.00. Any appeal from a decision of the Grievance Committee shall be made to the Board of Directors as provided in this section 3, below. 3. Within 30 days after a receipt of a written notice of a decision of the Grievance Committee, the person penalized may appeal the decision by addressing a written request to the President of the USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section for a review by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall promptly review the findings of fact and the decision of the Grievance Committee. The Board of Directors shall not be required to hold any hearing, and its decision may be based entirely on the findings of fact of the Grievance Committee. However, the Board of Directors may hear such further testimony and receive such further evidence as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate. Promptly following its review, the Board of Directors shall have the power to affirm, modify or reject the decision of the Grievance Committee, but may not impose any harsher penalties. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final and binding.

4. Any person who has been suspended or expelled may be reinstated at any time by the Board of Directors on evidence satisfactory to it that reinstatement is merited. Prior to taking such action, the Board of Directors will obtain the recommendation of the Grievance Committee. VII. POINT PENALTY SYSTEM The purposes of the Point Penalty System are to deter unsportsmanlike conduct, ensure compliance with the continuous-play rule, and ensure on-time appearance for matches. The objective of the Point Penalty System is not to punish, but to secure compliance with the Rules of Tennis and USTA Regulations. There are two types of violations, Code Violations (Delay and Conduct) and Time Violations. A Code Violations 1. Delay (a) Not resuming play within 30 seconds after a medical time-out. (b) Not resuming play within 30 seconds after treatment on a changeover. (c) Not playing within 20 seconds of having been directed to resume play. (d) Passage of 20 seconds after any time violations. (e) Leaving the court for an unauthorized reason. 2. Conduct (a) Visible or audible profanity or obscenity. (b) Abuse of racket, balls or equipment. (c) Verbal or physical abuse of a player or official. (d) Coaching (e) Abusive conduct by a player or a person associated with a player. (USTA Regulations I.N.10. refers to this situation). (f) Retaliatory calls (obviously bad calls made in retaliation for the opponent’s calls) (g) Unsportsmanlike conduct (any other conduct that is abusive or detrimental to the sport). (h) Violation of any USTA Tournament Regulation (USTA Regulation I.N.19.). B Time Violations (a) Delay between points or after warm-up. (b) Violation of the 90-second changeover rule or 120 second Set Break rule. C Point Penalties 1. Code Violations will be penalized as follows: First Offense Point Second Offense Game Third Offense Default (see definition of default) 2.

3.

Time Violations will be penalized as follows: First Offense Warning Each additional violation

One Point Penalty

Penalties for Lateness 5:00 minutes or less: loss of toss plus one game 5:01 – 10:00 minutes: loss of toss plus two games 10:01 – 15:00 minutes: loss of toss plus three games More than 15:00 minutes:

default

Lateness after an intermission Up to 5 minutes one game More than 5 minutes default (see definition of default)

Since a lateness penalty does not accrue until both the court and the opponent are available, there is no penalty when both players are equally late (up to 5 minutes). If both players are late but arrive at different times, the penalty accrues upon the arrival of the first player (A), and the opponent (B) loses the serve/end option and the one, two or three games, or is defaulted depending on the time elapsing between A’s arrival and B’s arrival. VIII. ELIGIBILITY Eligibility Chart for Junior Players. “Friend at Court Guide to Eligibility” can be found by referring to “Age Division-Juniors” in the index of Friend at Court (FAC). The USTA age eligibility rule states that if a player has not exceeded a division’s maximum age limit by the last day of the month in which the tournament starts, the player may play that division. For example, a 14 year old player who turns 15 on May 25th may not enter the 14 divisions for a tournament starting on May 3 even though he/she is still 14 years old when the tournament takes place. This rule requires players moving into a new age division to make a choice: a. To play in their “age” division until the last day of the month prior to their birthday, or: b. To play “up” from January 1 or earlier. Example: A Player who turns 15 in July may play in the 14-andunder age division until June 30 before being required to move into the 16-and under age division July 1. If a player wishes endorsement to National tournaments, his/her age at the end of the month of the National tournament determines the youngest age division he/she may enter. For example, if a player’s birthday is on June 1, and if he/she qualifies for an older age division for the summer National tournaments, the player is urged to consider playing up beginning in January or earlier, so that he/she will have a record in that age group. Plan your tournaments and the playing year accordingly. If the player intends to seek endorsement to USTA National Tournaments, he/she must meet the endorsement requirements for the age divisions that he/she will be playing in National Tournaments.

IX. DIVISIONS A. JUNIOR NOVICE 1. Age division is determined by “FAC Guide to Eligibility.” 2. Ages 10-18: players ranked in any year-end junior open singles ranking are permanently ineligible for novice play. Once a player is ineligible, that player may not become eligible for any future novice play, even though that player may no longer be ranked. Tentative year-end rankings may be used until the final year-end rankings become available. 3. Alternative match formats may be used (pro 8, short sets, round robins, etc...). 4. Players who win two (minimum draw of four players, or three players in a round robin format) novice events are no longer eligible for novice play in any division. 5. Players will not be seeded in novice tournaments.

6. The Champion in each age division at Hawaii State Junior Tennis Tournament of Champions is no longer eligible for novice play. 7. Tournament Directors reserve the right to exclude players holding tournament wins over barred players or to place them in a higher age group.

B. INTERMEDIATE 1. Age division is determined by “FAC Guide to Eligibility.” 2. Players that play in 10 and under Open tournaments are not restricted from play in intermediate tournaments, except for those covered under item 3 below. 3. Players ranked 1-5 in the 12s, by the most recent standings list available as of one week before the tournament entry deadline, are not eligible for intermediate tournament play in any age group. 4. Players 1-8 in the 14s, 16s or 18s, by the most recent standings list available as of one week before the tournament entry deadline, are not eligible for intermediate tournament play in any age group. 5. Because of rolling records, eligibility will be based on the most recent standing list available as specified above. 6. A player winning two intermediate tournaments in the same age division in a calendar year must play in a higher division. However, the same player may be eligible to play in intermediate tournaments the following year depending on the most current rankings. For example, if in 2008, a player wins two intermediate tournaments in the 12s, that player is not eligible to play in 12 intermediate in 2008, but he/she is eligible to play in 14 intermediate in 2008. However, in 2009, this player could play in 12 intermediate again as long as he/she is still age eligible. 7. Alternative match formats may be used (pro 8, short sets, round robins, etc...). 8. Players may be seeded in intermediate tournaments at the discretion of the tournament director. 9. Tournament Directors reserve the right to exclude players holding tournament wins over barred players or to place them in a higher division. C. OPEN 1. Age division is determined by FAC Guide to Eligibility and is open to all junior players. 2. A player who plays in any two USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section (excluding ITF) sanctioned junior Open events within the same age group and within a current 12 month period will appear on the junior ranking eligible ranking list. The monthly standings are an accurate approximation of where a player would be if he/she were working towards a year end ranking. The final year ending ranking will be published at the end of the calendar year. X. OPEN RANKING REQUIREMENTS 1. Players 12-18 years old may be ranked in singles and doubles. Players may be ranked in the following divisions: 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under, 18 and under (in singles and doubles). Match play requirements for ranking must be completed in the same ranking age group for singles. Similarly doubles ranking requires all doubles matches to be played in the doubles ranking age group. As a clarification, match play in one age group cannot count toward ranking in a different age group. As a clarification, it is possible to be ranked in one age group for singles, and a different age group for doubles. All ranking requirements must be done in the current calendar year. 2. End of year singles ranking requirements: End of year ranking will be determined by the points summed from the 6 highest points per round values from any six Hawaii Pacific Section tournaments played in 2009. 3. End of year doubles ranking requirements: Ranking will be determined by the points summed from the 3 highest points per round values from Hawaii Pacific Section tournaments.

4. End of year mixed doubles ranking requirements: Ranking will be determined by the points summed from the 3 highest points per round values from Hawaii Pacific Section tournaments. 5. Alternative draw and match formats may be used. (Short sets, round robin, compass draw or pro 8). 6. Points values are awarded based a player’s final position in the draw. Different tournament types have different point awards as noted in the following table: USTA Level Draw with FIC through quarterfinals Champion 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place/SF FIC Champion FIC Finalist FIC SF FIC Quarterfinalist FIC QF Qualifying FIC R16 FIC R16 Qualifying FIC R32 FIC R32 Qualifying FIC R64 FIC R64 Qualifying FIC 128 FIC 128 Qualifying

Summer Other Sectionals Sectionals Designated 3 4 5 Draw with FIC through semifinals

Draw without FIC

Draw with modified consolation round

Champion 2nd Place FIC Champion FIC Finalist

Champion 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place/SF

Champion 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place/SF

Quarterfinalist

Quarterfinalist

Reached rd of 16

Reached rd of 16

Reached rd of 32

Reached rd of 32

Reached rd of 64

Reached rd of 64

FIC Semifinalist FIC SF Qualifying FIC Quarterfinalist FIC QF Qualifying FIC R16 FIC R16 Qualifying FIC R32 FIC R32 Qualifying FIC R64 FIC R64 Qualifying FIC 128 FIC 128 Qualifying

Reached rd of 128 Reached rd of 128 Points earned for each consolation round win

800 665 585 520 480 440 400 365 330 300 265 240 210 185 160 135 105 40

600 500 440 390 360 330 300 275 250 225 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 30

440 360 320 280 260 240 220 200 185 170 155 140 125 110 95 75 40 20

Open N/A Draw size 5 or more

Open N/A Draw size 4 or less

330 270 240 210 195 180 165 150 140 130 120 105 90 75 60 45 30 15

220 180 160

Intermediate, novice, and national tournament results do not count for Hawaii Pacific Section ranking. 7. Designated and Sectional Tournaments and Dates for 2009. Tournaments numbered 1, 3, 6, and 9 in the listing below are classified as sectionals. The other tournaments in the listing below are classified as designated tournaments. All other open tournaments are classified as open tournaments. These classifications determine the point awards in the points per round tables above. 1. Wailuku Winter Jr. Sectionals (USTA Level 4) January 9-11 2. Holua Jr. Open (USTA Level 5) February 6-9 3. Pearl Harbor Spring Jr. Sectional (USTA Level 4) March 20-24 4. Pearl Harbor Easter Jr. Open (USTA Level 5) April 17-19 & 24-26 5. W.H.D.T.A. Junior Open (USTA Level 5) May 23-25 6. USTA/Nike Summer (USTA Level 3) Jr. Section Championships – Oahu June 11-14 7. Wailuku Summer Junior Open (USTA Level 5) July 3-5 8. Hawaii State Jr. Championship (USTA Level 5) August 14-17 9. Hilo Fall Jr. Sectionals (USTA Level 4) September 4-7 10. Kauai Fall Jr. Open (USTA Level 5) September 27-28 11. North HI Tennis Association Jr Championships (USTA Level 5) - October 23-25 12. Wailuku Fall Jr. Open (USTA Level 5) November 27-29

XI. WITHDRAWALS, WALKOVERS, RETIREMENTS, AND DEFAULTS This section is applicable to junior competition only. These definitions are critical to determine ranking and endorsement eligibility. These definitions may have changed, so players and tournament directors must be careful to properly classify matches that fit the criteria below. For example, when tournament officials use the term “default”, but they really mean “walkover”, this error is critical, and may result in an avoidable grievance later. Players should get the tournament director and

referee to provide written confirmation of the proper classification of a match result according to the criteria below: A WITHDRAWAL occurs when a player removes himself/herself from the tournament before competing in the event because of injury, illness, personal emergency, or other bona fide reason. A WITHDRAWAL does not count as a tournament played and there is no effect on ranking. A refund of the tournament fee is given only if the tournament director is notified of the withdrawal before the draw is made. A WALKOVER occurs when a player, after completing a match in an event, and before (or during) the warmup for the next or subsequent match in that event decides not to play because of injury, illness, personal emergency, or other bona fide reason. An illness or injury must be authenticated with a physician’s note, if requested by the tournament referee. Failure to provide such certification within seven days could result in the walkover being deemed a default instead. A walkover counts neither as a win or a loss. All wins and losses up to the walkover will count for ranking purposes. A tournament ending in a WALKOVER will count as a tournament played to completion. Only one open tournament (including national tournaments held in Hawaii) in a calendar year in which a walkover is used, will count as a tournament played to completion. All other tournaments in which a walkover is used will NOT count as a tournament played to completion. A player claiming a walkover in the main draw, is eligible to play in the feed in consolation (if one exists), a match for 3rd/4th place (if one exists), or doubles (if applicable). Thus, a player must play this match, claim a walkover, or claim a retirement. Otherwise, if the player fails to show, this will be counted as a default. A RETIREMENT occurs when a player is unable to continue playing a match or resume a suspended match because of injury, illness, personal emergency, or other bona fide reason. A retirement counts as a loss, with a win for the opponent. All wins and losses up to and including the retirement will count for ranking purposes. A tournament ending in a RETIREMENT will count as a tournament played to completion. A player who retires in the main draw, is eligible to play in the feed in consolation (if one exists), a match for 3rd/4th place (if one exists), or doubles (if applicable). Thus, a player must play this match, claim a walkover, or claim a retirement. Otherwise, if the player fails to show, this will be counted as a default. A DEFAULT occurs when a player is disqualified for cause or ineligibility is disqualified under the Point Penalty System (which includes penalties for lateness); or refuses to play for other than a bona fide reason. A DEFAULT is counted as a loss for the defaulting player and a win for the opponent. All wins and losses up and including the default will count for ranking purposes; however, a tournament ending in a DEFAULT will NOT count as a tournament played to completion for the defaulting player. A player defaulting in the main draw, is eligible (if not disqualified by the tournament director) to play in the feed in consolation (if one exists), a match for 3rd/4th place (if one exists), or doubles (if applicable). Thus, a player must play this match, claim a walkover, or claim a retirement. Otherwise, if the player fails to show, this will be counted as a default. XII. SANCTIONS See Junior Suspension Point System XIII. ENDORSEMENT TO NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS (Player Divisions 12-18) Endorsement to the USTA national tournaments, which require sectional endorsements, shall be made by the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section Endorsement Committee. Committee Chairperson: Carin Lim 2229 Hikino Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96821 (808) 373-8307 FAX: (808) 373-7414 Any player wishing to apply for endorsement should note the following:

A. The following are the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section requirements for the listed tournaments in the USTA National Junior Tournament Schedule which requires section endorsement. All requirements must be done in the same age group of endorsement: (1) Spring National endorsements 2009. The standing list updated immediately after the completion of Wailuku Winter Junior Sectionals will be used as the pertinent standing list for endorsements. (2) July/August (Summer) National endorsements 2009. The standing list updated immediately after the completion of USTA/Nike Summer Junior Section Championships will be used as the pertinent standing list for endorsements. (3) December National endorsements 2009. The standing list effective on October 31 will be used as the pertinent standing list for endorsements. B. Personal behavior and good sportsmanship shall be important factors for endorsement. Players who have exhibited a pattern of poor sportsmanship on or off the court may be refused endorsement to participate in any National tournament. C. A player can be eligible for endorsement in more than one age group. However, for a given endorsement period, a player can only be endorsed in a single age group (this include multiple events which must be in the same age group). D. Players accepting a USTA/HPS endorsement, must pay to USTA/HPS, a nonrefundable endorsement processing fee of $10 per endorsed event. E. Hawaii Pacific Section National endorsers will be endorsing by an eligibility list only. This list will be based on the player’s most recent 12-month rolling points per round ranking prior to the endorsement period with the additional requirements of endorsement above and below. It is the responsibility of players and parents to ensure that players meet the necessary endorsement requirements. Any exception to these rules must be obtained in writing from the chairperson of the Endorsement Committee and the Junior Competition Committee. F. Endorsement form/letter. To facilitate the endorsement process, the Endorsement Committee highly recommends that an endorsement form or letter be submitted to the endorsement committee by March 1, 2009. The purpose of this form is to survey preliminary interest for each endorsed event, but most importantly, it provides the Endorsement Committee with contact information for each player/parent who is interested in endorsement. Failure to submit the endorsement form prior to the deadline places the player at risk of missing an endorsement opportunity, because the Endorsement Committee will not have the player’s/parent’s contact information. USTA does not necessarily have current contact information for all USTA members. Thus, if the Endorsement Committee is unable to contact a player/parent in a reasonable period of time (left to the discretion of the endorsement committee), that player will be passed over in the endorsement process. Endorsement forms will be available from the USTA/HPS office and website. It should be noted that although only a few players are selected for endorsement, it is very common for players to decline endorsement. Thus, even if your ranking is low, it is very possible that you may be eligible for a national tournament or national team event endorsement. G. The endorsement process requires a lot of phone calls (done by volunteers) and it is difficult to contact players and/or parents during the week, weekend and evenings. Summer endorsements must be completed within a short period of time following summer sectionals to give players sufficient time to book travel arrangements. Because players must be contacted in sequence, another player cannot be called until each player above has been contacted first. Thus, it is very important that each player be contacted as soon as possible as a courtesy to the players below. Players/parents must accept or decline the endorsement as soon as possible as a courtesy to others. The following actions or behaviors are considered unacceptable by the endorsement committee and will be grounds for the termination of an endorsement and removal from future section endorsement considerations: 1. Failing to reply in a timely fashion to accept or decline an endorsement.

2. Failing to pay the registration fee and/or endorsement fee in a timely fashion prior to the endorsement event. 3. Accepting an endorsement and later canceling it when it is too late for it to be offered to anyone else. 4. Accepting an endorsement and failing to attend any part of the endorsed event. 5. Accepting an endorsement and failing to register for the event without notifying the endorsement committee in time for another player to be endorsed. 6. Failing to exhibit good sportsmanship on or off the court. H. Endorsement tournament registration forms and payment of fees. For endorsement to summer tournaments, players and parents should ideally submit registration materials for summer national tournaments at Summer Sectionals. It is not the responsibility of the Endorsement Committee to contact players to remind them of deadline dates for endorsement forms and for tournament entry applications. Failure to turn in the necessary materials by summer sectionals could result in defaulting your child from participating in endorsed national summer tournaments. If a player does not receive an endorsement, the checks will be destroyed. The endorsement process is a labor intensive process done by a few dedicated USTA/HPS volunteers. Your cooperation will help to streamline this process, making things better for everyone. The Endorsement Committee thanks you in advance for your cooperation. I. Endorsement notification. Upon completion of the Sectionals tournament, players will be called for final acceptance. A player has 48 hours to respond with an answer to his/her endorser. If an endorsed player DECIDES NOT to go to any national endorsed tournament for which he/she has registered via internet registration system, they must immediately notify their respective endorser and the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section office (minimum 14 days prior to entry deadline) or the player will not be eligible for future national endorsed tournaments for a period of 6 months. This is common courtesy toward endorsing the next player. Endorser will call as low as number 10 on the pertinent standings list plus those who have submitted an endorsement form. This will effectively be the endorsement list. If the endorsement list is exhausted and national tournament endorsement slots are still available, the Endorsement Committee will continue to use the current process to fill endorsement slots. If after this process, no players have accepted the endorsement, then the endorsement committee may endorse any other age eligible player. J. Internet registration and other entry routes for national tournaments. Many endorsed events have converted to internet registration, which requires separate internet registration done by the player or parent (not the Endorsement Committee) once a section endorsement is received. K. USTA National Junior team members may apply for an endorsement requirement exemption if USTA National Junior team requirements conflict with HPS endorsement requirement events.